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Selecting a Railed .45

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2K views 15 replies 9 participants last post by  Lineman 
#1 ·
Husband is working on selecting a new HD gun.

Requirements: .45 caliber, rail, ambi safety, 5 inch barrel, all metal frame

Current top contenders: Kimber Warrior, Springfield TRP Operator, Sig TACOPS

Anyone out there have any firsthand experience with any of these pistols? Any other similar suggestions?

Notice I listed the Kimber 1st (not the order my husband listed them in :D)
 
#2 ·
All good

Those are all fine guns.

Kimber outproduces and outsells almost every other 1911 manufacturer on the planet.

The Kimber community is one one of the best and most supportive on the internet.

If it was my purchase, it would be a no brainer, but I am biased...
 
#4 ·
They are all quality products,however if it was me I would narrow it down to either the Kimber or the Sig.It should be noted that I also have a bias toward Kimbers and Sigs.The only difference between Sig .45s and Kimber .45s is Kimber has a traditional internal extractor as opposed to Sigs external extractor.I really don't think it makes a difference but I like the traditional look of Kimber .45 acp's.
 
#6 · (Edited)
I own three that fit that description. A Warrior. A Dan Wesson Specialist. And a Smith E series TA.

I work were 1911s are used for uniform carry. My Smith was an impulse by and without going into all the details has been a PITA and is a PoS. I have tossed everything but the slide and frame and starting over. The rail is still out spec which I cannot fix.

The Dan Wesson has many positive attributes. All steel parts from good makers and fit is good. Nice checkering etc. the rear sight fell out and slide was sent back. The slide galled on the first shot and had to removed with mallet. I lapped the rails instead of returning it. The screw for the two piece mag well fell out on the second mag fired. 1000 rounds fired with no stoppages after lapping. The gun shoots 6" low at 25 yards and DW would not replace the front sight. Told me it was me though I can easily shoot 3" groups at that range. I expected more from a $1500 gun.

I carry a warrior everyday at work. And have for several years.

I have seen one Springfield TRP railed operator at work whose frame broke. Another that was sent back twice for failing to return to battery due to short chamber leads and improperly fit bull barrel. On the other hand I know of many lightweight Operators that have been running just fine. I can only attest to the round count of one however as he and I shoot more than anyone in the 350 man outfit. That lightweight Operator has nearly 40k through it with no parts breakages. Though the SA trigger does come close to a Kimber trigger pull. I fixed his though!

Good luck.
 
#7 · (Edited)
I own three that fit that description. A Warrior. A Dan Wesson Specialist. And a Smith E series TA.

I work were 1911s are used for uniform carry. My Smith was an impulse by and without going into all the details has been a PITA and is a PoS. I have tossed everything but the slide and frame and starting over. The rail is still out spec which I cannot fix.

The Dan Wesson has many positive attributes. All steel parts from good makers and fit is good. Nice checkering etc. the rear sight fell out and slide was sent back. The slide galled on the first shot and had to removed with mallet. I lapped the rails instead of returning it. The screw for the two piece mag well fell out on the second mag fired. 1000 rounds fired with no stoppages after lapping. The gun shoots 6" low at 25 yards and DW would not replace the front sight. Told me it was me though I can easily shoot 3" groups at that range. I expected more from a $1500 gun.

I carry a warrior everyday at work. And have for several years.

I have seen one Springfield TRP railed operator at work whose frame broke. Another that was sent back twice for failing to return to battery due to short chamber leads and improperly fit bull barrel. On the other hand I know of many lightweight Operators that have been running just fine. I can only attest to the round count of one however as he and I shoot more than anyone in the 350 man outfit. That lightweight Operator has nearly 40k through it with no parts breakages. Though the SA trigger does come close to a Kimber trigger pull. I fixed his though!

Good luck.
Thanks Mike240! Great info. My husband actually did look at that S&W model, but didn't really like it. He has a Springfield EMP as his EDC - had some trouble right out of the box, they were great about fixing it right.

We have a Sig 1911 C3 that we thought about putting an aftermarket rail on instead of purchasing another gun. After some research, decided a different gun might be the best solution since it doesn't have an ambi safety. Still really like that gun - flawless at the range!

Sad to hear about all the trouble with your Dan Wesson & their reluctance to fix it for you.

I've had some issues with my new Kimber Super Carry as well, but Kimber has been very willing to work with me to get it fixed. To me, any company can produce a gun with problems. What really matters is how hard they will work to make it right.
 
#8 ·
Not a big fan of the rail guns but if I had to pick it would be one of the Kimber rail models, maybe not the Warrior.
 
#9 · (Edited)
Go With The Best!!

Not being a rail kind of guy, I'll just have to eliminate that part of the equation because no matter what pistol your husband purchases, it's gonna have a rail. Sooooooo......that makes for a very short debate (from my point of view). You go with the best of the list: the Kimber!!!

To me rail guns make a nice night stand gun. You can't find a holster to carry a pistol with a laser, weapon light or optic. Therefore, it is just a night stand, briefcase or glove box gun! Unless you carry it on a leather thong around your neck, like Tuco in the movie The Good, The Bad and The Ugly!!! Its just not a carry gun!!! :eek::eek::eek: IMHO :D:D

Hat Jaw Gesture Art Sharing
 
#11 ·
to me rail guns make a nice night stand gun. You can't find a holster to carry a pistol with a laser, weapon light or optic. Therefore, it is just a night stand, briefcase or glove box gun! Unless you carry it on a leather thong around your neck, like Tuco in the movie The Good, The Bad and The Ugly!!! Its just not a carry gun!!! :eek::eek::eek: IMHO :D:D
That's exactly the purpose of this gun. It will not be carried, we both have options for that. This will be a 'nightstand' gun (in a quick action safe) & a range gun for practice.

Although the image of carrying it on a leather thong around my neck makes me giggle. :):)
 
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#16 ·
How Wude!!!

Oh, how you people wrong me!!!! I may be an ex-lineman, but I have a bit of class. I have been cut deep!!!

Now that you have made me think of it; it is a bit funny: the thought of a big old pistol hanging from that other kind of thong!!!! Is that what is referred to a "DEEP COVER"?????

HOW WUDE!!!!!!!:eek::eek::eek:
 
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